Citizens at the Tennessee State Capitol shut down a House committee meeting with nonstop chants of the Pledge of Allegiance. Their aim was to “draw attention to the American values lawmakers will betray if they deny education to any child simply because of where they were born.”
The Banking and Consumer Affairs Committee was scheduled today to consider House Bill 145/Senate Bill 268, a bill that would impact public education for undocumented students. The protests began before the bill could be heard.
Their message to lawmakers:
“We recite the Pledge of Allegiance to remind lawmakers of the American values they will betray if they support legislation denying any children an education.
Our ask: each member of this committee stands up to those going after children, and commits to upholding our American values of education for ALL children.”
When the meeting was called to order, Tennessee parents and children stood up to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. They did not stop reciting the pledge until the committee chairman adjourned the meeting and told the public to leave the chambers.
“We fought for American values, one of them being that CHILDREN shouldn’t be political targets like this – and that education for ALL children makes our country stronger, no matter where those children or from or amount of money their family has,” said Bob Tuke, Retired USM.
One ten-year-old in attendance said, “I’m here because I don’t want any of my friends taken away.”
For more information, read the handout that was distributed during the protest.
